Pressure means for handkerchief machines



Sept. 19, 1950 G. A. ANDERSON 2,523,181

PRESSURE MEANS FOR HANDKERCHIEF MACHINES Filed April 15, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 P 1950 G. A. ANDERSON 2,523,181

' PRESSURE MEANS FOR HANDKERCHIEF MACHINES Filed April 15, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 q 8 g m; QM QM Sept. 19, 1950 G. A. ANDERSON PRESSURE MEANS FOR HANDKERCHIEF MACHINES 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 15, 1946 w g f r W.

Sept. 19, 1950 G. A. ANDERSON PRESSURE MEANS FOR HANDKERCHIEF MACHINES 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 w- ,H- 2 1: Elli: 7

66 Vii i 1 vucml'ow PATENT omcfi Patented Sept. 19, 1950 i I I 2,523,181 a PREs'st-iRE MEANS FORHANDKERCHIEF MACHINES V Gustave A, Afndi'spfi; New York; N. Y g ssig'l or 1:6 The lfitern'z'tti'onal Handkerchief Mfg} Co.; New York, N. Y a corpo'latifi'ii of New Yei'k" Appiie ation April 15, 1946, Serial No. 662,282

1 0 Cletin'isi- (01. 112 -203) Pf e e .t fi' siim n sle i dt n d f n's' Hi he tvptxm w tve a dw Ufii'td states Paterit Nb. 2,053,257. In that 10 ofthe 910th usetl, it hasrbe 'eii fo'undtd be gum: patent an apparatus'is illustrated and deseribed cpl t iii the i'aatteiit'e'd apparat s to" make hfidkefmenacing: a Sqitlble of slack m peia-t'f n. t is" tiii6thr object of the im'reiition' wee pbitim bla'lriki's thh tittmiiedtu sr g 30 t6 fifdvide' stchifieane, its ends and cut off, and while it is still held iii These and Other Object/ advantage (if In order to understand the structure and functions of the specific mechanisms comprising the invention, it is deemed necessary to describe in some detail the general structure of the forward portion of a handkerchief making machine in cooperation with which the invention preferably is employed.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, reference numeral ll indicates generally the main frame of the apparatus which frame is of rectangular box-like outline and includes vertical uprights such as l2 and I3 and horizontal members such as 14 and i5 (see the plan view, Fig. 2) Suitably supported above the frame are parallel spaced supports l5 and H for the handkerchief blank as it is moved forwardly toward the two sewing machines 18 and Hi.

It is to be understood that therear portion of the apparatus (to the right of the broken linesin Figs. 1 and 2) may be similar to the rear portion of the apparatus shown in United States Patent No- 2,053,257 to which reference has already been made. That rear portion forms no part of the present invention, but for adequate understanding of the invention it should perhaps be mentioned that such rear portion receives a web of handkerchief material whose side edges have been hemmed; cuts off blanks of a length suitable for handkerchiefs (allowing for hems) {and then disposes eachblank on the spaced parallel supports l6 and I1 in a position to be moved forwardly (to the left in Figs. 1 and 2). It should also be mentioned, that when so disposed on the supports l6 and I1, the'raw or unhemmed edges of each blank are in alignment with the parallel supports l5 and l1 and that each blank is provided with a slack portion intermediate the supports.

By the timeeach blank has reached that portion-of the" apparatus shown in Figs. 1 and 2, its raw or'unfinished edges have been given a prefolding. The supports [6 and I! are provided with hem folders 20 and 2| which engage the edges and fold them into hems as eachblank is moved forwardly toward the sewing machines lllandlil.

The means the sewing machines l8 and I9 is comprised of a blank feeding mechanism, generally indicated by the reference numeral 22, and an auxiliary feeder, generally. designated as 23.

v The blank feeding mechanism 22 consists of a pair of endless chains 24 disposed in vertical planes directly above the parallel hem folders 20 and 2|. These chains carry gripper feet .25 adapted to engage each blank and press its edges against, thefsupports l6 and l1. As the chains are rotated, the gripper feet will, consequently, move the blank forwardly toward the sewing machines. Since both chains and their associated mechanism are similar, only one has been illustrated.

The main frame of the apparatus supports a pair of .rear brackets such as 26 (Fig, 1) one on each side horizontal member l4, 15. These brackets 26 are connected by cross bars such as 21. The main frame also supports a pair of forward' brackets, such as 28, which are connected by a cross bar 29.

The rear brackets 26 each have a rearwardly extending arm 30 bifurcated to. receive a journal block 3| fora transverse shaft 32. Mounted on this shaft. 32 are two large sprockets, such as 33. The shaft 32at oneend has a smaller sprocket V 34 mountedthereon which sprocket 34-15 suitably 4' liminary fold so as .to be ready for further hem for moving each blank forwardly to I sprocket 31.

connected as by a chain 35 to be driven periodically from a power source (not shown).

The forward brackets 28 carry a transverse shaft 36 and on this shaft 36 are two sprockets such as 31. These sprockets 31 are mounted for free rotation about the shaft 36.

Referring to Fig. 1 itwill be seen that each rear large sprocket 33 is connected by an endless chain 24 with its corresponding forward small As previously indicated each chain 24 is thus disposed in a vertical plane, the planes being disposed respectively above and in alignment with the spaced parallel hemmers 20 and 2| (Fig. 2).

Each chain 24 is provided with two triangular link members '38 each carrying a lateral pivot stud 39 on which is pivotally mounted a gripper foot 25. A spring 40 connected to each stud 39 has a portion which bears against an edge of the gripper foot 25 thus urging the gripper foot in a direction away from the chain 24. The inner end of each gripper foot 25 is provided with a lateral extension M, the purpose of which will be presently described.

Disposed adjacent each rear sprocket 33 is a cam member 42 which may be supported by an arm 43 secured to the cross bar 21 which connects the rear brackets 26. Each cam member 42 is disposed in a plane to be engaged by the lateral extensions 4! on the inner ends of the gripper feet 25.

Disposed adjacent each forward sprocket 31 is a rigid cam 9. These cams 9 likewise are disposed in planes to be engaged by the lateral extensions 4| on the inner ends of the gripper feet 25.

It should now be evident that as the sprockets 33, 31 are rotated the endless chains 24 will travel thereabout and that each chain, during a part of its path of travel, will move forwardly in a straight line directly above one of the hemmer folders 20, 2|. During this part of its path of travel, one of the gripper feet 25 will bear down on a handkerchief blank and move it forwardly toward the sewing machines.

As each gripper foot 25 approaches the forward end of its path of travel, the lateral extension 4| onits upper end strikes the cam 9, the surface of which is designed to effect a pivoting of the gripper foot about the pivot stud 39, thus raising blank.

Likewise, as each gripper foot moves around a rear sprocket 33 in a clockwise direction, the lateral extension M on its inner end strikes the surface of cam 42. The cam is so designed as to keep the gripper foot in a raised position until the gripper foot moves to the position shown at the right end of Fig. 1, whereupon the spring 40 will urge the gripper foot into engagement with a handkerchief blank disposed on the supports l6 and- H.

It will be seen from Fig. 1 that'the apparatus iust'described does not move the handkerchief blank to a position directly beneath the presser feet 45 of the sewing machines. Each blank must be accurately positioned beneath the presser feet 45 of the sewing machines and for this purpose the invention employs the special auxiliary feeder mechanism 23 which will now be described.

The auxiliary feeder mechanism 23 includes a pair of pusher arms 46, 46', mounted on a shaft 41 (Figs; 1 and 2) comprising a part of a swinging frame which includes side uprights 48 and 48 which are connected by the transverse shafts 41, 49 and 50, the upper shaft'58 being supslightly higher plane the stitching line thereon.

is made to U. S. Patent ward position.

ported at its ends (Fig. 2). by the forward lbrackets. 28 sothat axis of shaft50.

The side upright 48 is provided with a rearwardlyrextending arm'5l. which is connected by a pivotal joint 52 to an operating rod 53. This rod 53 extends downwardly to a cam mechanism (not-shown) which raises and lowers the rod 53 periodically to-rock or swing the frame. A spring 54 ("Figsl and zlsecured at one; end to the rear: wardly extending arm 55-and at its other end to one of .the front brackets 28 maintains the rod 53 in engagement with the cam mechanism.

:ne end of the rod 41 (Fig. 1) has a rearwardly the frame may swing about the extending arm 56 secured thereto. The arm 56 is provided with a roller 51 adapted to engage an arcuate shaped cam member 58 carried by an arm 59 secured to one of the forward brackets 28, A spring 60 secured at one end to the rearwardly extending arm 56 and at its other end to the side upright 48 constantly urges the roller -1 intoengagement with the cam member 58. Therefore'any movement of the lever 59 should raise or lower lever 56- on swinging upright 48. As this lever 56 is secured to shaft 4-1, any movement of lever 56 is transmitted to the pusher arms 46, '46-, by means of the pusher lifting levers (not numbered) which raise the pusher arms' lfi,

' 46' by means of a" projecting pin on each of the pusherarms. The pusher arms 46', 45 are loose on the rod or shaft 41 and are held downwardly by thespring (not numbered) Each ofthe pusher arms 46, 46 is provided with anosepiece (it Whichls disposed principally in avertical plane. Each nose piece 64 is bent at a right angle to its vertical. edge thus forming a flat edge portion 62 at itslower plane extending laterally at rightangles from the arm 45 or 46'). The vertical edge portion of Bi extends forwardly from. edge portion 62, terminating in a blunt end 63, the bottom edge of which is one than is flat edge portion The arrangement described is such that-just as. the gripper feet 25 carried by the chains 24 (Fig. 11) reach their most forward. position and are raised. from the, handkerchief blank which they have advanced; the pusher arms 4t,v 46 slide over the advancin fedge forward edges of the edge of the blank .until the portions 62 of: the nose,

pieces 6F engage the transverse forward hem at Continued forward movement of the pusher arms will then push against the hem and move the presser feet of the sewing machines 18 and I9.

and also by the engagementsof the roller 51 formed as to assure an even distance of nose piece 62 on pusher 46 above the blank as the uprights 48, 48" of the swinging frame move to their rearhandkerchief blank forwardly to a position directly beneath the delivered to the ju'stm'ent may then be of the nose pieces 6| engage the inside edge of the hem of the blank, it will be clear that each blank will be advanced to the exact same location regardless of the position of the blank at that point where the gripper feet 25 carried by the chains 24 are disengaged from the blank. f

It should also be clear that as the nose pieces 6| slide forward their blunt nose portions 63 will, in the first instance smooth down the advancing hem edgeof the blank.

As previously indicated,.the raw or unhemmed side edges of the blank have, during forward movement, been folded ready forhemming. The

sewing machines, operating simultaneously, con

sequently stitch the side hems,

whereupon the handkerchief is completed.

type, kind, .weave and cut of the clothusecl, it

has been difiicult'to provide finished-handker chiefs whose corners are uniformly square. The problem was givenconsiderable study and it has now been determined that the formation of corners which are uniformly square can be assured by employing the pressure controlling and regulating means which will now be described. 5 In Figs. 3 to 8, inclusive, there has been illustrated a presure regulating and controlling device.- One of such devices is located directly to the rear of each of the presser feet 45 of the sewing machines. One of such devices will be described. With reference to Figs. 3 to 8, inclusive, reference numeral 64 represents a plate which is secured to the plate 65 on which the handker chief blank. is supported as it moves from the hem folderzl to machine. V

Adjustably secured to the plate 64 by means of the screw'lifi is a small block 6! having an elonto hingeto'the block-a pressure member H.

The pressure member l I is perhaps best shown in. Fig.8 and. is comprised of'a main body portion having a bifurcated encl' provided. with transverse aligned. holes 12 therein to receive the hinge pin 10. The other end of thepressuremember H (see Figs g5, 6 and 7 is provided on its under surface witha sheet metal member 73 having a curved downwardly protruding edge portion 14. As will be clear from Figs. 6 and 7, and as will be described more in detail later, this downwardly protruding edge portion 14 is adapted to engage the edge of the handkerchief blank '15 adjacent and parallel to the stitching line of the hem.

The pressure mem-ber'l'l is provided with an upstandingstud 16 toreceive a helical spring 17 the upper end of which is engaged in a socket portion If? of a screw 19 The screw is threadedly supported by a small bracket which is secured tothe plate 64 and from Figs. 3, 4, 6, and 7, it should beevident that the pressure exerted by the spring 11; on the pressure member 1| can be adjusted by turning the screw l9 and that the adset' by means of. the knurled nut 8 "The pressure member H (see Figs, 3, 4, 5, and 6) lT SQaISO DI'QVi dBd with a forwardly extending arm 82?;which is secured to the upper surface of thepress'ure member Tl by means of the screw 831(Figs1i3' and 5)}. The forward end of the arm hasa small opening therein which threadedly'rethe presser foot 45 of the sewing ceives a screw 84, the position of which may be set by means of the lock nut 85. In operation, the lower end of the screw 84 rests on the upper surface of the presser foot 45 of the sewing machine.

It should now be apparent that byturning the screw 19, the pressure on the handkerchief blank 15 exerted by the downwardly protruding edge portion 14 of member 13 carried by the pressure member 1! can be adjusted. It has been found that if this pressure is properly adjusted, the handkerchiefs when completed will have uniformly square edges. Moreover, it will be noted that when the presser foot 45 is raised, it will, because of the arm 82, lift with it the pressure member 1| causing the latter to swing on its hinge pin 19. The reason why the pressure member 1| is raised in conjunction with the presser foot 45 is to allow the unstitched hem of the advancing blank to be inserted under the presser foot with no pressure on the hem. A pressure on the hem would-cause a drag and would consequently give a distorted front hem.

From Figs. 6 and '1, it will be seen that the folded edge of the handkerchief blank 15 as it moves forwardly is guided by the inner edge 86 of the plate 64 and as the handkerchief blank reaches the forward end of the pressure member 1|, the downwardly protruding edge 14 confines the hem fold with the protruding edge exerting a downward pressure on the handkerchief blank closely adjacent and parallel to the inner edge of the hem fold.

Each of the pressure regulating and controlling mechanisms described may be, and are preferably, supplemented by other pressure means which are specifically illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, and 9. Such means is specifically comprised of an arm 81 which-is mounted on a transverse shaftlllll, the upper portion of the arm being provided with a foot 88 having a felt pad 89 which extends upwardly through a slot 90 in the hem folder 2| so as to engage the underside of the handkerchief blank. The upwardly exerted pressure of the felt pad 89 against the handkerchief blank .can' be regulated. The reference number 9|. represents a coil spring which surrounds the shaft I09, one end of the coil spring engaging the arm 81 and the other being secured to a collar 92. It will be apparent that the spring 9| will urge the arm upwardly. The tension of the spring can be regulated by turning the collar 92 and then securing it to the shaft I09 by means of the set screws 93.

Also secured to the shaft I by a set screw is the hooked arm 94, the hook portion of which is adapted to engage (Figs. 1 and 9) the laterally extending lug 95, on the arm 81. Since the position of the hooked arm on the shaft I09 can be adjusted, it will be appreciated that the position of the arm 91 can thus be adjusted accurately.

The shaft I09 (see Figs. 1 and 2) is provided with a rearwardly extending arm, 96, the end of which is secured by the spring 91 to the main frame I I of the apparatus. Also mounted on the shaft I09 is another arm 98 which is secured by a rod 99 to mechanism (not shown) for periodically raising the rod so as to lower the felt pad from its engagement with the handkerchief 7 blank.

It will be understood'that one arm 91 is provided beneath each of the hem folders 29 and 2| so that each edge of the handkerchief blank as it advances may have pressure applied to, it.

In operation, this portion of the invention is actuated by raising rod 99 and arm 98,,thereby lowering the arms 81 and felt pads 89 until the handkerchief blank 15 has been moved forwardly in the hem folders 2|, 22, past the slots 99 provided in the supports I6, I1 for the felt pads. The rod 99 is then moved downwardly thus causing the arm 81 to swing upwardly so that the felt pads 89 project into the slots 99 in the supports l6, l1 and engage the under surface of the handkerchief blank 15 exerting pressure against the blank and the bottom of the hem folders 2|, 22.

As indicated, the pressure exerted on the handkerchief blank by means of the felt pads can be accurately regulated and controlled,

While either of the two sets of pressure regulating and controlling devices may be employed alone, it has been found that in many instances, depending on the cloth used, more accurate and satisfactory results are obtained by regulating and controlling the pressure on the handkerchief blanks at two points, namely, rearwardly adjacent the pressure feet and also farther back namely at the point where the felt pads exert their pressure on the blanks. The use of these devices if properly regulated can insure square corners in the finished handkerchiefs regardless of the type of cloth used.

It is to be understood that changes in structure and arrangement of the parts may be effected within the scope of the invention which is only to be limited in accordance with the language of the following claims.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for making handkerchiefs and the like and including a pair of spaced sewing machines, support means for said blanks, means for hem folding opposite side edge portions of handkerchief blanks and advancing said blanks on said support means to said sewing machines which simultaneously sew the opposite side edge portions into hems, the forward and rear edges of said blanks having been previously hemmed, mechanism disposed rearwardly adjacent the sewing machines for exerting downward pressure on the side edge portions of the blanks adjacent and parallel to the side hem folds, means for adjusting the downward pressure of said mechanism, mechanism disposed rearwardly of the sewing machines for exerting upward pressure on the side edge portions of said blanks, and means for adjusting the amount of said upward pressure.

2. An apparatus for making handkerchiefs and the like, means for hem folding opposite side edge portions of handkerchief blanks and for advancing said blanks forwardly toward sewing machines which sew said side edges into hems, the forward and rear edges of the blanks having been previously hemmed, a frame, support means on said frame for the side edge portions of each blank as it is advanced toward the sewing machines, means for pressing said side edge portions of each blank downwardly against said support means and for moving the blanks forwardly along said support means, auxiliary means for advancing the blanks beneath the presser feet of the sewing machines, pressure mechanism having a downwardly protruding edge for engaging said side edge portions of each blank adjacent and parallel to the side hem folds, and means for adjusting the pressure exerted by said pressure mechanism, whereby the corners of the finished article will be squared.

3. A pressure device for machines for sewing handkerchief blanks, comprising, a flat support for a side edge portion of the blanks, a'plate disposed on said support rearwardly adjacent the .pivotally mounted arm adjustable presser foot, whereby the presser foot of the sewing machine, the side edge of said plate forming a guide for the outer edge of t e side hem fold of each blank, a member on a i njenib er' havinga portion extending over said ljacent the inner edg1e df t e,-side hem fold of the blank, a bracket secured to said plate and having a part extending over said member, ascrew carried by said part, and a spring disposed between said screw and said member for exerting down ward pressure on said member.

4. A pressure device for machines for sewing handkerchief blanks, comprising, a flat support for a side edge portion of each blank, a plate disposed on said support rearwardly adjacent the 'presser foot of the sewing machine, the side edge of said plate forming a guide for-the outer edge of the side hem fold of the blank, a member hingedto said plate on a line parallel to and spaced from said side edge of said plate, said member having a portion extending over said side edge, said portion having a downwardly extending edge parallel to said side edge and adapted to engage each blank adjacent and parallel to the inner edge of the side hem fold of the blank, a bracket secured to said plate and having a part extending ried by said part, screw and said pressure on said member, an arm secured to said portion and extending forwardly over the presser foot of the sewing machine, and a screw in said to engage an upper surface of the arm and said hinged member will be raised when the pressure foot is raised to permit a blank to be inserted beneath the pressure foot with no pressure on the hem.

5. In a machine for sewing the side hem of a a spring disposed between said handkerchief blank, the I"o1ward and rear hems of the blank having been previously hemmed, a sewingmachine provided with a presser foot, a hem folder spaced rearwardly from the presser .foot, a support for the blank intermediate the on said support rearwardly adjacent the presser foot the inner side edge guide for the outer edge the blank moves to the presser foot, a member hingedly mounted with respect to said plate on a line parallel to and spaced from said side edge, said member having a portion extending over of the side hem fold as a downwardly extending edge parallel to said side edge and adapted to engage the blank adjacent and parallel to the inner edge of the side hem fold, a bracket secured to said plate and having a part extending over said member, a screw carried by said part, and a spring disposed between said screw and said member for exert- V sewing machines for exerting downward pressure v line parallelto" andv spacedfrom said side edge of said plate, said over said member, a screw carof said plate forming a member for exerting'downward V hem folder and the presser foot, a plate mounted .said side edge of said plate, said portion having on the, blanks adjacent. and parallelto theside said mechanism, mechanismdisposed rearwardly of the sewing machinesfor exerting upward pressure on thesideedge portions of said blanks, and means for adjusting the amount of said-upward pressure, said means for exerting upward pressure including a shaft, an arm mounted on said shaft, a pad carried by said arm, and spring means for urging said arm and pad upwardly. V i

7. An apparatus for making handkerchiefs and the like and including a pair of spaced sewing machines, support means for said blanks, means for hem folding opposite side edge portions of the blanks and for advancing the blanks on said support i an apparatus for forming and stitching a hem on the side edge of a handkerchief blank or the like, said apparatus having a support for the blank hem folding means, and a sewing machine for stitching the hem, said pressure means comprising a shaft disposed below said support, an arm rotatably mounted on said shaft, a pad carriedby said arm, said support having a slot therein for said pad to permit the pad to engage the underside of the blank, a spring engaging said arm to urge it upwardly, and means for adjusting the tension of said spring. v

9. Pressure means for an apparatus for forming and stitching a hem on the side edge of a handkerchief blank or the like, said apparatus having a support for the blank hem folding means, and a sewing machine for stitching the hem, said pressure means comprising a shaft disposed below said support, an arm rotatably mounted on said shaft, a pad carried by said arm, said support having a slot therein for said pad to permit the pad to engage the underside of the blank, a coil spring surrounding said shaft, a collar on said shaft, one end of said spring engaging said collar and the other end said arm, and means for securing said collar to said shaft.

10. Pressure means for an apparatus for formin and stitching a hem on the side edge of a handkerchief blank or having a, support for the means, and a sewing machine for stitching the hem, said pressure means comprising a shaft disposed below said support, an arm rotatably mounted on said shaft, a pad carried by said arm, said support having a slot'therein for said pad to permit the pad to engage the underside of the blank, a coil spring surrounding said shaft, a

the like, said apparatus blank hem folding 1 12 collar on said shaft, one end-of said spring en- UNITED STATES PATENTS gaging said collar and the other end said arm, 1 Number Name Date means'for securing said collar to said shaft, and 396 Wayne Jan 15 1889 means adjustably secured to-said shaft for limit- 1 063842 stocker Jun'e 1913 ing the upward-movement of said arm and said 5 2o52222 Ebert Aug 1936 -pad U v v v ,r v

GUSTAVE A ANDERSON 2,053,257 Anderson Sept. 8, 1936 FOREIGN PATENTS REFERENCES CITED Number Country Date The following references are of record in the 10 323,409 Great Britain Jan. 2, 1930 file of this patent: 

